Pork ribs are a beloved dish in many households. However, achieving the perfect seasoning can sometimes be a challenge. This keto dry rub recipe offers a simple solution, taking only minutes to prepare and promising ribs that are cooked to perfection with a delightful blend of flavors.
Why This Keto Rib Rub is a Game Changer
One of the best aspects of this recipe is the accessibility of the ingredients. The seasoning combination features sweet flavors derived from Swerve brown sugar, which is ideal for keto diets, and cinnamon. These are items that you likely already have in your pantry. If you anticipate using this seasoning mix frequently, consider preparing a larger batch to have on hand for future use. Just remember to adjust the measurement amounts accordingly when scaling up the recipe.
This keto BBQ rub offers a harmonious blend of smoky, sweet, and savory spices, suitable for various meats and vegetables. Preparing it takes just a few minutes, infusing your food with a delicious flavor, regardless of the cooking method you choose.
Understanding Different Types of Ribs
Before diving into the recipe, it's helpful to understand the different types of ribs available:
- Spareribs: These are a longer cut of ribs sourced from the underside of the animal. They are less trimmed compared to other cuts and have more fat and gristle.
- St. Louis Style Ribs: These are essentially spareribs that have been trimmed into a more uniform rectangular shape.
- Baby Back Ribs: These ribs come from the back of the animal. They are shorter and leaner than spareribs.
- Country-Style Ribs: Interestingly, these aren't actually ribs. They are cut from the shoulder area of the animal and may contain bones.
Regardless of the rib style you prefer, this dry rub will impart a delicious finish.
Read also: Delicious Keto Ribs
Crafting the Perfect Keto Rib Rub: Ingredients and Preparation
Making your own rib seasoning at home is incredibly simple. The spices used in this recipe include basics like paprika, cayenne, mustard, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Some variations also include ground ginger and sage, but these have been omitted here to keep the ingredient list concise.
Ingredients:
- Smoked paprika
- Golden granulated monkfruit sweetener with allulose (or other brown sugar substitute)
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Ground mustard
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic powder
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Whisk well to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed.
- Taste and adjust as needed, adding more salt or other spices to achieve your preferred blend.
Step-by-Step Guide to Keto Dry Rub Ribs
Here’s how to make fall-off-the-bone tender, flavorful keto dry rub ribs:
Ingredients:
- Pork ribs (spareribs or baby back ribs)
- Olive oil
- Keto dry rub (see recipe above)
- Water
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ribs: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. If necessary, carefully remove the membrane from the back of the baby back ribs using a sharp knife.
- Season the Ribs: In a mixing bowl, combine all the spices and the sugar replacement. Stir well to combine. Sprinkle the dry rub mixture onto the meat side of the pork ribs, and rub it in thoroughly.
- Bake the Ribs: Place the ribs meat-side down on a rack on a baking sheet. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for one and a half hours, until the meat is very tender. If you are cooking more than one rack of ribs, increase the cooking time to 1 hour and 45 minutes. Check occasionally to ensure the water hasn't evaporated, which could cause the ribs to burn.
- Grill or Broil (Optional): Preheat the grill or broiler. Grill or broil the ribs for about 4 minutes per side, watching carefully to prevent burning. You can brush some keto-friendly BBQ sauce on the ribs before or after grilling, if desired.
Tips and Customizations
- Sweetness and Spice: Customize the rub by adding more sweetener for a sweeter flavor or extra cayenne or chili powder for a spicier kick.
- Sweetener Options: Golden monkfruit sweetener replaces the traditional brown sugar. Lakanto's Golden Monkfruit with Allulose is recommended for its clean brown sugar flavor. However, you can use your favorite brown sugar substitute as long as it's a 1:1 sugar replacement.
- Transferring: Create a funnel with parchment paper to easily transfer the spice mix to a jar.
- Making Ahead: You can prepare the dry rub ribs up to 24 hours in advance by applying the spice blend to both sides and storing them in the refrigerator.
- Cooking Method: For grilling, cook the ribs for 3 to 4 hours at around 250°F.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these ribs with cucumber dill broccoli slaw or loaded mock potato salad for a complete low-carb meal. You can also remove the meat from the bones and serve it on keto everything buns for a sandwich.
The Secret to Unforgettable Keto Ribs
The secret to amazing keto ribs lies in a combination of factors. Using spare ribs instead of baby back ribs ensures more meat and fat, resulting in a more tender and juicy outcome. The high-temperature braising method in the oven helps break down tough fibers, making the meat incredibly tender. Finally, a quick grilling or broiling step crisps up the outside, creating a delightful contrast in textures.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over Salting: Be mindful of the salt content when making your own rubs. This allows you to control the overall flavor profile and prevent the meat from drying out.
- Uneven Cooking: Ensure the ribs are covered tightly with foil during baking to prevent moisture loss and promote even cooking.
- Burning: Keep a close eye on the ribs while grilling or broiling to prevent them from burning.
Why Make Your Own Dry Rub?
Making your own rubs allows you to control the salt content, sugar content, and overall flavor profile, creating the best BBQ rubs tailored to your taste. This homemade BBQ spice rub recipe is a great thing to have in your spice cabinet, perfect for any cut of pork and even other favorite meats.
Nutritional Information
This keto dry rub rib recipe contains approximately 1.3g of carbs and 0.5g of fiber per serving.
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Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide